Concerns raised over lines at DPS license office

SAN ANTONIO - Customers at the Department of Public Safety’s Babcock Road Drivers’ License office are getting fed up with persistent long lines and long waits in the hot sun.

Krystyn DeLeon gave up on standing in line outside the office Thursday, when temperatures reached 96 degrees, preferring to sit on the hot sidewalk.

Due to confusion about which papers she needed to bring, it was her third trip to the office this week.

“I think it's ridiculous because a lot of us have been waiting out here for a long time. And they don't have somebody out here telling us what we need. And some of us wait for a long time, go up there, and they make us leave,” said DeLeon.

Others waiting in line Thursday said one woman complained about feeling faint, while others were obviously uncomfortable in the high temperatures with no shade or water provided by DPS.

“It’s excruciating,” said Julissa Gomez. “I want to run away and go home, but unfortunately I don't have that choice right now.”

Trooper Jason Reyes, a DPS spokesman, said the agency is aware of the problems and is in the process of coming up with a remedy.

“We've had this discussion in the past week,” said Reyes. “We're looking at some alternative situations, whether it be cooling stations or watering stations.”

Reyes said all DPS license stations have seen an increase in traffic of late, due in large part to an increase in truckers flooding toward the oil fields, looking for commercial drivers’ licenses.

Reyes said a solution to the crowding and comfort problems at the Babcock office would unfortunately likely not be in place before October.

Copyright 2012 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.